Lord Popat (Con)
My Lords, there are 39 speakers today for the Second Reading of the Bill. If Back-Bench contributions are kept to a maximum of six minutes, the House should be able to rise at around 10 pm tonight.
Baroness Smith of Basildon (Lab)
My Lords, it is rather unusual to start a debate on Second Reading at 5.15 in the evening. Many Members of your Lordships’ House will have important contributions to make, so while we appreciate the guidance and will do our best to stick to it, it seems rather unfair given the importance of the issues before us this evening.
Lord Popat
I accept what the noble Baroness says. If we extend the limit to seven minutes we should be able to finish by around 10.20 pm. Would that be okay?
Baroness Smith of Basildon
My Lords, it is not for me to advise noble Lords on how long they wish to speak. I was not trying to correct the noble Lord. The point I made is that many noble Lords have spent a long time preparing their comments on a very important Bill and will be disappointed that Second Reading started at this late hour. If there were a normal amount of time, even 10 minutes for each speech would take us beyond midnight. I am not asking for a change to the guidance but want to put on record that it is difficult for noble Lords who have prepared speeches on such an important issue. However, I do not wish to detain the House.
Lord Dholakia (LD)
My Lords, I endorse what the noble Baroness said. It has taken a lot of time to prepare our contributions and I hope that the Minister understands that this is an advisory limit.
Lord Popat
I accept what my noble friend said, but I ask that noble Lords try to keep contributions to a maximum of six or seven minutes. That would help Peers who would like to go home earlier than 10.30 pm.